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On the 9th of August for the 699 time one of the brightest folk festivals of Brussels, the "Meyboom" occurred. During the festival which takes place on Saint-Laurent's eve a May tree (also known as the "tree of joy") is erected at the intersection of two central Brussels streets, as a sign of gratitude to St. Laurent.
It is believed that the history of the event began when a wedding party was ambushed by a gang from Leuven. When the gang was dispatched by a group of archers carrying the name of St. Laurent's Brotherhood, the happy couple were entitled to honor their savior. According to the present Brotherhood of Saint-Laurent's Companions, the first "meyboom" appeared in 1308, and since then is permanently attended with a posse of costumed giant puppets.
Noteworthy is the fact that the erection of the tree needs to be finished till 5 PM, otherwise the right to erect the tree goes to the people of Leuven, which always try to intervene the citizens of Brussels.
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